Morrison unfazed by Indon-US boat talks

TONY Abbott and his Immigration Minister Scott Morrison have played down Indonesian threats to raise their concerns over border protection with the United States, saying discussions between the two countries are "right and proper".

Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Jakarta to highlight US concerns about climate change, but Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa says issue of Australian border policy will also be discussed.

Dr Natalegawa told local reporters they would raise their concerns with Mr Kerry "and let America draw its own conclusions" about Australian policy.

The latest stoush over border protection has been sparked by Australia's use of lifeboats to send asylum seekers back to Indonesia, and follows months of anger at the Abbott government's boat towbacks.

But Prime Minister Abbott was unfazed about the talks, saying he was "pleased" Indonesia and the US were engaging in discussions.

"It's right and proper two friends of Australia should be talking regularly and deeply with each other," he told reporters on Sunday.

Asked about Indonesian plans to involve the US in the stoush over border protection, Mr Morrison said: "They're welcome to do that."

"That's a matter for Secretary Kerry, it's also matter for the Indonesians," he told ABC TV.

"I'm sure they'll have a lot to talk about during his visit."

Mr Morrison also downplayed Indonesian concerns about the use of lifeboats, which prompted Dr Natalegawa to call in Australia's ambassador Greg Moriarty for a dressing down.

"They have every right to raise concerns and issues with us, as they do," he said.

Secretary Kerry's visit comes as Labor and the Greens called on the government to release a report into the navy's incursions into Indonesian waters.

The government has apologised for the breaches during Operation Sovereign Borders, saying they were accidental.

Defence and Customs are investigating how the navy entered Indonesian waters on a number of occasions, with Mr Morrison saying the report will eventually be released publicly.

On Sunday he refused to say how many times naval boats breached Indonesian territory, but disputed claims from an Indonesian navy spokesman that the breaches had been deliberate.

"That's false ... it wasn't intentional at all," he said.

"They've conducted a very comprehensive review of these matters and that'll be contained in the report they release."

Opposition leader Bill Shorten accused the government of an "addiction to secrecy" when it came to border policy.

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